Signs Of Equality From Iowa 2 Vermont & A Silent Summit City; Fort Wayne: Room For Dreams & Desires To Play Down Town; Remembering Bea Arthur

As marriage equality has been proven victorious in a recent decision by the Iowa State Supreme Court and an major majority vote by the Vermont legislature which overturned a veto by the Governor, another religious right hate group the National Organization for Marriage started to rear its head and put out a commercial citing old cases which have long since been proven inaccurate to stifle the conversation. They also began a campaign Two Million For Marriage (2M4M), which sent Rachel Maddow over the edge of her desk trying to hold back the laughter). Above is a video by Rob Tish which combats the misconceptions presented by NOM's advert.

Meanwhile in the Summit City, a small group gathered on the north side of Fort Wayne @ IPFW on the 17th to commemorate the National Day of Silence with a rally in the afternoon. On the 18th Fort Wayne PRIDE Committee held its 1st all ages PROM. On the 2nd of May United Sexualities of IPFW will be hosting "A Touch Of Pink" Dance Party @ Walb Ballroom starting at 8p with a general admission of $3 and free for IPFW students.

Random Observations: Driving Along Our Three Rivers

I was driving to my secret source for cheap cigarettes this evening and almost hit a jack rabbit that decided to bolt between the Court House and the City County Building. Every time you think Fort Wayne is a bustling metropolitan area you are reminded that no matter how big we get we are still a small farm community town at heart. Even though we have a thriving downtown area that is both dedicated and ready for future expansion to make the Downtown area truly a source of arts, entertainment, culture and diverse expressions, it is also within a fifteen minute bike ride of most of the urban areas of town. Now we just need to make it more accommodating to non vehicular traffic flow as that would improve both the access to and enjoyment by more citizens as a whole.

One of the things I noticed is that the capillary streets like Calhoun between Washington and Jefferson Boulevards should probably have a police officer directing traffic in all lanes as this is the major wrap around for traffic wanting to leave the Embassy Theatre, Grand Wayne Center, and Harrison Square, and head west instead of east. If they simply cut off this one block stretch of Calhoun to southbound traffic as people are leaving these venues and then allowed all three lanes to be used as a wrap around it would reduce congestion after these well attended events.

Room For Dreams But Nowhere To Rest Your Sore Feet

The other recommendations I would give is that as we are becoming more of a pedestrian - non automotive based economy in the Downtown area having a few courtesy officers on duty for out-of-towners and people not familiar with downtown to help guide people to their next destination would be the next appropriate step in improving the Downtown area. We need to establish crossing guards at key side street intersections as people return to their vehicles, which are typically parked a couple of blocks away from the venue they attended.

One of the more refreshing things I saw was that people were just hanging around by the hundreds outside the Grand Wayne and the Embassy Theatre, after the events had ended. We need to do more to install benches and flowers, plants, and fruit trees, along our main thoroughfares and direct arterial streets.

I do agree with City Council President Tom Smith, we need to reestablish a sit down diner or two in the direct area; however we also need to consider, adding City certified street vendor at these locations to provide a quick beverage or sandwich as people linger and enjoy a strangers company or make new friends and reacquaint with olde ones. If the goal is to get people to not just come to the Downtown area but make our inner urban area a lifestyle choice and actually play downtown, we need to be more accommodating to allow people the leisure of staying downtown for several hours after an event and not just saying, "Thanks for coming and spending sixty dollars for a twenty dollar show, now go home where it is safe." by our lack of post event hospitality and recreation opportunities.

Refreshing News; Reminders Of The Little Things

Last week when I was leaving this same secret location I noticed we had a new taxi company in town. The Yellow Taxi Cab Company Phone: 260-422-1010 headquartered off of East Pontiac Street was started approximately 9 months ago which is about the same time that the recession we are currently in hit full swing. So there is yet another sign that no matter how crappy the economy is getting Fort Wayne's entrepreneurial spirit is alive, well, and kicking ass. The reason I bring this up is one thing we seriously lack at most of our entertainment venues, especially the three previously mentioned, is a dedicated taxi lane. Having a dedicated taxi lane and disabled person drop off area and escort service (perfect job duty for the previously mentioned courtesy officers) would better serve guests and people who didn't want to drive to an event personally. On a green note and taxis, the Mayor of Seattle has ordered all taxis in the city to be high mileage hybrids by 2013.


Thank you for being a friend. Traveled down the road and back again. Your heart is true your a pal and a confidant....

As most have heard or read by now the incomparable Bea Arthur, who weaved her way into the fabric of American social political commentary and back in April 2005 graced the stage of the Scottish Rite Theatre with Billy Goldenberg to perform her show "Just Between Friends", has finally greeted her last curtain call at the age of 86.

She was introduced to America on the small screen back in the 1970's as Maude in All In The Family where she challenged America by discussing the issues surrounding abortion and sexuality. Again she would change the hearts and minds of another generation of gay men young and old everywhere as part of the Golden Girls cast for seven years. If you ever witnessed a group of gay bois try to assign each other to their role of Blanche, Rose, Sophia, and Dorothy, you begin to understand the impact one voice and a woman with strong character can have on the hearts and minds of a generation.

Bea Arthur is within her own lifetime a legacy and in her own right a saint. No worries there is one slice of chocolate cheesecake left at the banquet table for you Dorothy.


Star Wars Holiday Special - Cantina Song

Local Queer Community Spotlight and Commentary for Wednesday. Sorry I am running behind.

HRC Local Chapter hosted benefit for UTSCC two Saturdays ago.

F6 would like to finally report that one thousand dollars was raised at the fund raising event sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign's Local Chapter at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation on Old Mill Road for the Up The Stairs Community Center. The benefit "An Evening of Love" brought together the talents of The Chorus of Fort Wayne, Reuben Albaugh, Jessica Butler - Miss IPFW 2008, Breona Conrad, Blane Pressler, Brett Tubbs, and James Velez. Their performances were enjoyed thoroughly by the just less then sixty guests. The fund raiser was held for assisting "the daily operational costs of keeping the doors of the UTSCC open (simple things like heat, light, and water)".

COMMENTARY:

One thousand dollars does not even begin to cover one months of expenses for operations as previously budgeted at 1,250 per month @ the UTSCC. So more than likely what will happen to the one thousand dollars is it will get appropriated to fund something else to raise even more money which will go to fund something else to attempt to raise even yet more money and it becomes a vicious cycle that is no different then a mutilevel marketing scheme. In the end I don't have an issue with them doing this I do have an issue with them saying that it goes to general operating expenses as a blanket statement without directly specifying how and where and why. Just be prepared for them to do a fund raiser per month at this rate if not two in the chaos of attempting basic liquidity. The other reason I have issue with all of these "Drag for a Dollar" fund raisers is the fact that the UTSCC Board still does not have accountability to the people they serve.

Not forgetting to mention the previously extended debt and unaccounted resources mentioned in Dan Stockman's article last year have yet to be accounted for. According to his story, one dollar of every twenty dollars, with the highest annual total at seventeen thousand dollars, for a total of twenty five percent of fifty-seven thousand dollars budgeted per year on average, still remained unaccounted for. To date the Board of the UTSCC has still refused to audit their books publicly and also refused a free audit when offered by a concerned unbiased third party.

As a matter of journalistic integrity and complete reporting, the assumption that the case on the scandal is closed is false. F6's network of collaborators also made an inquiry to the State of Indiana and was told that the Attorney General's Office is still investigating the UTSCC and they will release their decision when they are done over to the local media first. So be prepared for another stinky windstorm *when the GLBT Community responds as this pile of shit hits the fan, yet again.

(*Edited for clarification of intention.
Thanks, Linda!)

EREN IPFW changes leadership and previous officers start drama.

In other news that is slowly filtering out of IPFW, as certain queens lick their wounds in disgrace, it appears after a long hard fought battle of wills the Student Government finally stepped in and issued a reelection of officers to the Equal Rights Education Network. This proved successful in overturning the previously ill appropriately appointed leadership and the rags of what was left of a Constitution for the organization.

COMMENTARY: KUDOS TO THE RESISTANCE!

I had been involved in these discussions at the end of last semester. Everything we arranged and the waring factions had agreed upon then, was stonewalled in the beginning of this year. I give kudos to the students who stood up to those trying to hold onto power illegitimately and to the Student Government for finally taking a stand and facilitating, by force, new elections.

I also have to give major kudos to EREN's faculty adviser, Chris Douse, the Asst. Director of Diversity & Multicultural Services. He provided stabilization to the group over the last several years as it has transitioned from the monstrosity attempted by some and left by others into the shamble shack EREN had become.

The process of recovery from bad peer leadership can finally begin again. To the new leaders and remaining members: it is going to take time to restore and rebuild, please be patient. The fact that the "previous owners" of the group are disgruntled and trying to make themselves look sparkly clean in the midst of being removed from their filthy nests, should give you courage.

Gay Libertarian is elected President of the IPFW Student Body!!!

As I previously summarized over on the LPAC blog: As some are aware Kody Tinnel, a member of the Libertarian Party of Allen County and a Political Sciences and Public Affairs Sophomore at IPFW, has run for and achieved with a landslide victory the Presidency of the Student Body of Indiana University and Purdue University of Fort Wayne.

COMMENTARY:

Kody Tinnel is a intelligent young man that I have absolute respect and admiration for. His commitment to going green and environ-friendly living, restoring a responsible Greek and Social culture on campus, along with giving people a taste of Libertarian principles in action, are going to be the keys to his success as President in the next year.

The morals of all these stories:

By the power of one to vote for their leadership being restored and used successfully, gives even greater assurance in the abilities of the average citizen to slowly grasp the concepts and responsibilities of their civil duties.

EDITOR: Certain portions of this post have been redacted by personal request.

General Community Update

Some of the new categories for this blog's link list and resource guide are not complete quite yet but I figured since the revamp of the blog is some what on target I would introduce a few of the categories with news and curiosities that I have found while traversing across the electronic super highway.

Category one: Support 3 Rivers Athletics
If any body has any of this information please forward it to me via comments here, please. (illustration picture under category still in debate, primary links: college/ professional/ semiprofessional are done, need to follow up with community sports organizations now,
need to follow up with high school athletics next,)

Befriend the Fort Wayne Derby Jeerleaders

Our jeerleader squad wants to be your friend! Send them a friend request at www.myspace.com/fwdgjeerleaders And don't forget, not only are we holding try outs for interested skaters on Jan. 7 and 9, we are also looking for dedicated individuals to volunteer, ref or join our jeerleader squad.


Category Two: But There Are Things To Do In Fort Wayne
(Category not posted on side bar will be a reoccurring theme)

IPFW "Fall-Into-Finals" Party and Drinking Convention announced.

With an IPFW student I.D. and $6, you can apparently drink yourself stupid tomorrow (the 30th) at the Quality Hotel (3330 W. Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne) while being hopefully entertained by The Freezing Scene as well as The North River Agents. One IPFW I.D. admits two people. It's apparently all-ages, so I guess that means fake I.D.'s are welcome and encouraged. It starts at 9pm but the bands wont start playing until like ten or eleven.

One more proof that yes in fact there are things to do in Fort Wayne but only if you have money, a car, and are enrolled at IPFW. I have no issue with drinking but this has got to change. Next is a beginning example of how easily the Cultural Studies Credit Program could work.

The Fort Wayne Youth Theatre announced that The Best Christmas Pageant Ever will be presented on Saturday December 15 and Sunday December 16 at 2:00 p.m. on stage at the Arts United Center at 303 E. Main St. in Fort Wayne.

To make reservations you can call the box office at 422-4226 beginning Monday, December 10 between 12:00-4:00 p.m. Tickets are $12.00 adults and $8.00 children. If you'd like to see the show for free you can let the Director, Reuben, know if you are available on December 10 from 10:00-5:00 to help hang set pieces and lights for the show. If you work for 2 hours, you can get a comp ticket to see the show...

... and trust me he will need some help!

I figure that is enough rambling for now but just to let y'all know I will be going on my annual Advent retreat on Saturday up at the Chapel and Skete @ Crosswood Centre (Skete= Russian Orthodox term for Monastery) in Auburn, Indiana. It will be fun to reconnect and have fellowship with my friends whom are clergy of the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America and the lay members of the local communities they serve. Every time I go up to Crosswood Centre I am refreshed for another long haul with in my pastoral duties and personal life.

[UPDATE: Much as the story of my life normally tells, I was called away early this morning on an pastoral issue and could not attend the retreat today. Thank yous go out to those who prayed for me! Fortunately I have the opportunity to go on another retreat shortly after the Christmas season in mid January, probably on one of my patron feast day.]

One last note you will find that certain religious links have been pulled off this blog. All religion and spirituality links with the exception of mine and organizations directly affiliated with me are on Our Lady Rejoice Ministries third edition of The Reign And Rook, which is now in blog format and will debut in limited form this Sunday. I hope you are enjoying the transitions.